Are you paying too much for your apartment?

You’re not alone. Around the United States, apartment rents have risen steadily since the financial crisis of the late 2000s. The pace of the increase has actually accelerated in recent years. You’d be forgiven for thinking that there simply aren’t deals to be had any longer.

Happily, you’d be wrong. With these five simple strategies, you can substantially increase your exposure to hitherto hidden deals on premium apartments — no matter where you live or what you can afford to pay.

1. Use a Local Apartment Locator 

Start with a free local apartment locator that goes beyond mere aggregation and takes a hands-on approach to finding properties that fit all the criteria you’ve laid out: price range, neighborhood, amenities, pet policies, and more.

According to tips provided by a local Dallas apartment finder, you should seek services that offer move-in rebates and other financial perks to reduce your upfront costs.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate With Your Landlord

Landlords aren’t as scary as they seem. Even when renting from a massive property management company whose ownership you’ll never meet face to face (and who likely doesn’t even live in your hometown), you should attempt to negotiate.

Boost your confidence with these best practices for rent negotiation. Highlight the strengths you bring to the table — sterling credit, solid references, steady employment, and anything else that bolsters your case — and remember that your landlord needs you just as much as you need them.

3. Look for First & Last-Month Rent Deals

Look beyond the attractive rebates you might score with the right local apartment locator. Many larger apartment communities offer sweet rent breaks to new tenants willing to sign longer-term leases — and sometimes to anyone who walks through the door. It’s not uncommon to see your first- or last-month rent reduced or completely waived, for instance.

4. Choose Your Moment Wisely

There’s actually some controversy about the absolute best time to rent an apartment.

Turnover generally peaks during the summer, when lots of students are on the move. That means more selection for apartment-hunters. But rental rates also tend to spike during summer, since there’s more demand for apartments. If snagging a bargain is your top priority, the winter months are your moment, with some landlords willing to cut better deals to ensure that their units are actually occupied.

5. Learn to Love New Construction

Building a new apartment building is not a cheap proposition. Most developers have a complex web of creditors and other interests looking over their shoulders during the construction project. It’s in their interest to get as many units leased as quickly as possible — and they’re often willing to go to great lengths to entice tenants to sign. If you don’t mind being the first tenant in a new unit, keep watch on the new construction market.

Never Stop Looking

You don’t need to stop looking for the perfect apartment once you’ve found a budget-friendly place to live. In major metros, thousands of new units of apartment stock come online in a typical year, and existing stock sees plenty of turnover too.

Chances are, your ideal apartment isn’t available right at this moment. When you incorporate this post’s tips into your weekly routine even after you find your next place, you’ll find it eventually. In the meantime, have patience, and don’t make the perfect the enemy of the good.